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Methods for Prayer The ex-Manichaean Augustine, in his summary of the western Manichaean teachings, tells us that a century after Mani's death: "They stand while praying" (Aug., deHaeresibus XLVI).This is in direct opposition to what an-Nadim seems to say was being done 6 centuries later in Islamic lands: He writes: "Then he shall face the supreme brightness while standing, and then bow down, saying while in prostration . . . This he says while he prostrates himself. Then he shall arise, for he must not tarry in his prostration, but stand erect. After that he shall say in a second prostration..." (Fihrist, pg 790).Drower reports that the Mandaeans, which seem to have preserved the ancient Gnostic traditions quite well, stand also when they pray, making slight bows only. Thus we have two very different accounts of ancient Manichaean prayer. It is the position of the Order of Nazorean Essenes that bowing was the original form of worship among Lay Gnostics while Monastics did more complicated postures that included partial and full prostrations. This account of full body prostration is in accord with modern Manichaean practices where Nazorean monks and nuns practice full prostration at the Dusk Devotion of Shlama, as well as on all Fast Day Devotions. Monastics (Elect) also practice bowing like lay (Listener) Gnostics during the Dawn Devotion and throughout the first day of the lunar week called Habshabba.
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